Why were you unhappy with the first “Ninja”?
Isaac Florentine: I felt the concept was flawed. We added more fantasy and comic book elements, and since we chose this concept, we relied on computer blood and cables. Besides, I don't think the film should have been made that way, but that was an afterthought. After finishing the film, after watching it, I said to myself: “Hmm, it’s a pity, I no longer have the opportunity to correct it.”
In "Shadow of a Tear" I saw references to "Fist of Fury" and classic revenge films. Is this what you intended?
Isaac Florentine: No, it wasn't an homage per se, but it's a ninja movie, a martial arts movie. Not a mixed martial arts movie like Undisputed. This is a martial arts movie in its purest form and there is a scene in a Japanese dojo, so of course Fist of Fury comes to mind.
And he's avenging his wife's death, which is what happens in a lot of martial arts movies.
Isaac Florentine: Exactly. Even in Fist of Fury, when Bruce Lee comes to the judo dojo, they are dressed in white kimonos, and he is in black Chinese attire. Scott is in black, they are in a karate dojo. The difference was to film everything in one long take, but that's a matter of technique. Then, when Kane Kosugi disappears into the room with the ancient artifacts, you are, of course, reminded of Enter the Dragon. When he comes to school it is "Enter the Dragon". Whether you want it or not, you are immersed in what is happening. We all love this genre. We all grew up with it, and deep down we are happy about it.
At the beginning of the film there is a fight scene that you filmed through a chain-link fence. Was this angle planned initially, or did you come up with the idea on the spot?
Isaac Florentine: Came when I was looking for locations. I must say that finding suitable locations for filming is one of the most difficult tasks. I saw the fence there and said, “Fantastic. At least now we can partially capture it and use it for combat.” You always have an idea, the choreography of the fight is already developed, and at the same time you find some place, and you say: “Okay, let's add this element or include it in the choreography, or approach the shooting a little differently.” This is a logical approach to the matter. Otherwise, the location will not be fully used.
When you cast Vithaya Pansringarm for one of the roles, did you know that he was then starring in the film “God Forgives”?
Isaac Florentine: No. They told me about this. He had just finished filming. I had no idea. By the way, “Pu”, this is his nickname, has a 5th dan in kendo. Many people from the Japanese dojo scene are kendoists from his dojo.
He got a lot more action in Ninja: Shadow of a Tear.
Isaac Florentine: Not really. He will be beaten.
But the fight scene is good. When you use a handheld camera, it remains stable. How do you achieve such stability when most other directors are shaking it in all directions?
Isaac Florentine: I don't like handheld cameras. I hate shaking. Luckily we had Ross Clarkson. I will repeat myself, but I will say that I consider him the best operator in the world. He's great. I call this stabilized handheld shooting. So it's kind of tame, but it's not tame either. I mean I want it to feel tame. Such a camera gives him the opportunity to make quick movements and get into the rhythm of the battle. He's so good that he can handle it. For this reason, a manual one was used, because this will not work with a Steadicam. If you go too far and use a telephoto lens, you're unlikely to get into the action.
What can we expect from Undisputed 4?
Isaac Florentine: First of all, let's hope it happens and happens soon. I don't know. What I mean is that you need a high-quality plot, with somewhat unexpected twists and, hopefully, a well-developed character. We must adhere to the same level or raise the bar higher than that set in other films.
When we spoke with Scott last year about Universal Soldier 4, he had some ideas of his own about what the future might hold for Boyka. Did the writers use his ideas?
Isaac Florentine: It’s impossible to say for sure yet. We have not yet reached this stage. There are a number of ideas, and at the moment we're kind of unsure which one to choose.
An idea you didn't choose could serve as the basis for Undisputed 5.
Isaac Florentine: Perhaps, but the story must continue, then we'll see. Let's see what happens and whether we use it. I don't know.
But now Boyka won’t go to prison, right?
Isaac Florentine: Yes, of course. You will continue where you left off.
This will be the first film in the Undisputed series, which will take place outside of prison.
Isaac Florentine: Yes, maybe.
In all of your films, the action has its own personality, even in the early ones, such as Clash of Dragons and Rebel.
Isaac Florentine: Thank you.
What approach did you take to give the action films their own personality?
Isaac Florentine: I don't know if it's an individual thing, but it's a combination of two things. Firstly, martial arts. I like to see the technology, I mean all the technology. It goes back a long way, take Singin' in the Rain for example. When Donald O'Connor dances in "Make Them Laugh," you see everything, even though the scene is made up of separate parts. Therefore, battles are filmed with this kind of segmentation.
Secondly, it is legibility. Thanks to her, you clearly see what is happening. Now, with a combination of good technique and quality camera angles, you can take on the fight and shoot in any way you want. The rest depends on how much time you have to shoot, how good your talent is, and where in the story you want to place emotional emphasis. I don't think about anything more. It's very difficult to explain.
I understand that we are talking about art in general. Your previous film, Sofia, was not about martial arts. How was your work experience?
Isaac Florentine: Interesting experience. In a way, I enjoyed it. I wanted to shoot something new, the opportunity presented itself, and I was happy about it, that’s all. It was an interesting work experience.
When you took on the Undisputed series, were you given a lot of leeway?
Isaac Florentine: Yes. Here's the thing. When I was assigned to direct Undisputed 2, Nu Image wanted it to be a boxing film. I told them, “Look, I can make a boxing movie, but I just watched the first Undisputed and whoever made it clearly loves boxing. It was about boxing history, and I'm a big fan of Walter Hill. Look, let's make it a mixed martial arts movie."
At that time, mixed martial arts was just in its infancy. They didn't know what it was. I tried to explain to them. They didn't get it. At a certain point they said to me: “You know what, Isaac? We are familiar with your work, we trust you, do what you want with the action. Just stick to the story." That's exactly how it was.
Author: Fred Topel
Source: CraveOnline
Translation: EvilDollaR
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Tags: Boyka: Undisputed, Ninja, Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear, Isaac Florentine
Tags: Boyka: Undisputed, Ninja, Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear, Isaac Florentine
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By the way, Ninja 2 is now playing in some US cinemas as part of prescreening (in short). The number of screens and cities is not known.
Thanks for the relief...
Even Jackie almost gave up his film dream by leaving to work. Thank you very much to Willy Chan and Yong Woo Ping!!! And then, of course, Raymond Chow and Leonard Ho, who saw in Jackie not only great talent, but also charisma.
Scott certainly loses in charisma. Loses a lot. BUT this fighter is amazing!
yes... you need to work hard...
Nice dating story!!! Everything ingenious and successful is simple. Be diligent and luck will definitely see you. In most cases.
My personal translation (please don’t judge too harshly :)) I’ll make some people’s work easier)))
“So, it was in the hairy year of 1998. At that time, my Canadian friend Don Warner, one of the few martial arts movers in cinema, and I decided to open a studio that would pump such personnel into films. For me it was a great the opportunity to meet many famous fighters from all over the world. And around the same time, fighters who wanted to get into the movies sent me VHS tapes so that I could watch them. So from that time on, I got used to seeing martial artists who could not work on camera. or those fighters who do not see the difference between real martial arts and martial arts on the screen. There were also those who did not practice martial arts at all. I was very tired of these tapes and there was even a moment when I did not have the strength to watch them. But one day at work, Don said to me, “Isaac, look at this tape from this English guy.” Then I told him, “Don, I’m tired of these tapes. I don’t want to." then at the end of the day he finally persuaded me. I start to look and see a kind of image of Scott. Well, okay, it looks good. But can he move? Then I saw all his technique, movements... Well, ok, ok...he's a good fighter. But can he do it on the big screen? Can he fight on the screen as well? Then came another tape of him called "screen fight." wow, wow this guy is incredible!" Finally...can he act?! I called Scott and told him I didn't know him, but I wanted to work with him and give him a chance. Next I went to Boaz Davidson, my sensei in the world of cinema. By the way, he also worked with Manehan Golan. I put the tape in front of him, and he reacted the same way as I did, Boaz studied the art of cinema in England and, knowing the art of acting, said, “We should give a role to this guy in our next film. Special Forces." So we gave Scott the role in anticipation of what would happen. But this is just a small part of our story..."
http://cinapse.co/2013/10/14/interview-ninja-2-director-isaac-florentine-on-working-with-scott-adkins-capturing-incredible-action-on-a-small-budget-part-2/
FRESH interview with Isaac Florentin! Here he told about the story of his acquaintance with
Scott!
Yes, no one knew about this until now...
Isaac, give me Scott Adkins and Undisputed 4!
He explains the technological and conceptual aspects of filming very clearly. Interesting.